I am looking into options for powering my house with renewable energy. I live in the Midwest now and was hoping to create a house that is powered entirely by renewable resources. I think solar would work, but wanted to see if anyone out there currently has a solar powered house either in the Midwest or other region of the country.

How much did you invest? How much of your house is solar powered? How long do you think it will take to pay itself back?

Did you ever go further on this? We recently had to have a water heater replaced, and the plumber said he is starting to get into solar powered retrofits. Said it would be about $25,000 for this 2000 sq. ft. house in the Los Angeles area. I have to assume the resale value alone on the house would make doing this worth it.

brandon, Sounds like a sizable investment. You should do your research. The pricing and sizing of a solar power system isn't necessarily based on square footage. It should be based on energy usage, percentage of your monthly bills that you want to be handled by your system, solar orientation, amount of sun you get and the technology you will be using.

The resale question is a bit tougher. In the current markets, number of bedrooms, baths and square footage still rule property value and the addition of a solar power system may not mean you get the same back that you put in. Don't look at your home as a piggy bank, plan to stay there awhile and reduce your energy usage to maximize the payback, this is how you will financially benefit from the system.

Most solar power systems today take 5-10 years to pay themselves back and start making you money, but if people only stay in homes 3-5 years as is becoming the norm, rarely will people benefit from their installations on the overall financial end.

I have never seen a solar powered house ever. From reading the replies above, it seems that having a solar powered home or house can be costly to setup. :(

they are out there. Here is a link to one in Maine,

Maine Solar House

There is an increased start-up cost to most renewable technologies. The benefits come over the long haul. You can usually recoup the cost of a solar installation in 5-10 years. If the panels last 15-20, you have at least five years and up to 15 years of free energy and possibly get to sell back to the grid and make money.

Wow! Its been so long since I first saw that project. I hope they are still doing well with their home and the performance is truly paying itself back.

Posted By kabalyero on 29 Jul 2010 06:26 PM
I have never seen a solar powered house ever. From reading the replies above, it seems that having a solar powered home or house can be costly to setup. :(

Any new home construction is expensive. Unlike standard power options for homes though, when you install a solar power system, you will benefit financially over the life of the home. Many are using solar to reduce grid power needs and there are some that are going for a complete system that accounts for all the power needs of a home.